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Not to be outdone by a strong contingent of Chinese new brands and models, Volkswagen South Africa showcased a raft of new models, one of which, is the ever popular Golf GTi that will be making its way to SA dealers in just a few months.
For two years running now, Volkswagen South Africa has been front and centre at the annual Festival of Motoring securing the John Love area at the Kyalami International GP Circuit as well as the first few pit doors. These are prime locations at Kyalami, the very first thing you see as you arrive at the pit entrance and arguably with the best mix of a premium space as well as excellent track viewing and placement.
It’s from here that VWSA showcased a number of new or updated models that are sure to be popular or at the very least, well spoken about.
The Golf GTi is back!
The new Golf 8.5 GTi is definitely coming back to South Africa, due to be launched in the next 6 to 8 weeks. Standing front and centre at Kyalami, the Golf GTi in its famous King’s Red Metallic is something to celebrate. Volkswagen has been successful in working to bring the GTi back after the initial Golf 8 GTi didn’t make it to our shores due to a fuel quality issue.
This updated car isn’t just a celebration of the return of an icon, but it’s also improved over the Golf 8 because VW has listened to a lot of our and your complaints. New on the 8,5 is a revised infotainment system that boasts a 12,9-inch display with new switchgear and an entirely reworked software and UX. It means all of the foibles of the old car are gone and things like volume and temperature are now ergonomically better.
Performance is also bumped up. Power from the 2.0-litre TSI is 195kW, 15kW higher than before. With performance features like Dynamic Chassis Control, a locking front-differential and upgraded brakes, the new GTi, if anything, will be more exciting and easier to drive. VW quotes 0 - 100km/h times of under 6-seconds.
Launch pricing was always our first question after the news of the GTi’s return was communicated. Hot hatch prices are no longer what they used to be and for a nameplate with as much legacy, heritage and love as the Golf GTi, it was always going to be and will continue to be a contentious issue.
For 2025 at least, Volkswagen SA has made a calculated play. 300 units will be available this year and those 300 units will be fully packaged in terms of specification. VW has loaded the new GTi with panoramic sunroof, new LED Plus Headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels and the newly updated Discover Pro infotainment with navigation system included with the Digital Cockpit. With all of these features, the fully loaded GTi will be offered at R908 000.
In 2026, VW will make more cars available and will probably opt to give customers a bit more choice, depending on what the reception of this packaged GTi is.
More Powerful VW Amarok breaks cover
Shown at FOM2025, VW Commercial vehicles displayed a left-hand drive version of the soon-to-be-launched Volkswagen Amarok 222kW. It is due to launch in South Africa before the end of 2026, and will top the Amarok line-up as the most powerful offering. The new engine fitted to the Amarok is a 2.3-litre, turbocharged petrol unit also mated to a 10-speed transmission. Initially, it will be offered in the Panamericana trim line with a comprehensive list of technology and safety features.
The car will launch with an electric roller-shutter, 18-inch alloy wheels with a sports bar at the rear. LED Matrix headlamps as well as a full suite of ADAS systems will also be available in the new Amarok. 10-way adjustable front seats and an upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system can also be expected.
Pricing will only be revealed at launch or just before, but expect it to top the pricelist at an estimated rate of R1,3M which is a lot of money for a bakkie, even if it is as premium as the Amarok.
The Transporter is finally here with a 125kW TDI Kombi introduction
We drove the Transporter in a variety of body styles in Greece earlier this year and we were left impressed and excited at the new age of Volkswagen’s people and goods carrier. A few months later, the first batch of new Transporters has arrived, initially offered in a 8-seater Kombi form. This seventh-generation Transporter has a familial presence. The Transporter is built alongside the Ford Transit Custom in the same way that the Ford Ranger runs parallel to the Volkswagen Amarok. As with the bakkies, the Transporter and Transit have been somewhat differentiated in design and in ownership spec, but suffice to say, Volkswagen’s full line-up, when it is fully revealed, will offer more options. Expect the drop-side double-cabs and the panel vans to arrive soon but for now, Volkswagen has introduced the people-carrying Kombi.
It comes with an all-new design off course but that also extends into a much larger and more practical cabin. Phone connectivity and tech is housed and operated within a new 13-inch touchscreen display with a 12-inch Digital Cockpit display for the driver. There’s a plethora of space throughout the new cabin with many storage areas and bins for the sort of stuff that people in vans have. Think everything from business needs to those of a large family, and the Kombi will certainly be the last word in practical mobility.
The new Transporter also boasts increased pulling, loading and top-loading specs, strengthened or beefed up in all of these areas.
Powered by a 125kW, 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit, this powertrain is the first of three that will make up the line-up in due time. Driving the front wheels or via a 4Motion all wheel drive system, this launch powertrain will pose as the flagship for now. VWSA will also launch 81kW and 110kW engine options over the course of the next few months and these will be available in the varying body styles too, not just the Kombi version.
Set to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz Vito, the VW Transporter is offered in four derivatives. The 4x2 Commerce retails from R1 055 200; the 4x2 Life starts at R1 116 845; the 4x2 EDITION spec starts at R1 167 400 and the top of the range 4Motion Style is R1 301 400. All of these are short-wheelbase, Kombi derivatives.
All-New VW Tayron makes its public debut
With dealer sales beginning on 1 September, the new VW Tayron also made a bold appearance at FOM. Shown in R-Line form with a variety of adventure options, the Tayron is set to continue the success of the outgoing Tiguan AllSpace. Offered as a new model now, and not simply as a different name to the AllSpace, full details of the VW Tayron can be read here, in our first drive, launch review.
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